The Province is proposing to make changes that would allow retail businesses to open on Family Day and Victoria Day. Businesses would have the option to stay open, and employees working would receive time-and-a-half pay in addition to receiving their full public holiday pay. All employee rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, including public holiday pay, premium pay, and the right for many retail employees to refuse work on a public holiday, will remain fully in place.
As our members may be aware, under the current framework, municipalities have some flexibility to pass bylaws in accordance with the Retail Business Holidays Act, 1990, and the Municipal Act, 2001, to tailor holiday business closures to local circumstances. With these proposed changes, municipalities would no longer have any authority regarding Family Day or Victoria Day.
We will continue to monitor this proposal for impacts on municipalities as it moves through the legislative process. Legislation is anticipated this spring, and changes are expected to take effect in time for Victoria Day - Monday, May 18, 2026.